Data capture device

ABSTRACT

A data capture device includes: a primary housing supporting a data capture assembly and having inner and outer surfaces joined by a perimeter wall; and a mounting accessory coupled to the inner surface. The mounting accessory mounts the device on an operator index finger in either of: a side-mounted mode in which the primary housing is between the index finger and a thumb; and a top-mounted mode, in which the primary housing is on a back of the index finger. The device includes an accessory trigger on the mounting accessory and a primary trigger supported on the outer surface. In the top-mounted mode, the accessory trigger is between the index finger and the thumb, for activation by the thumb. In the side-mounted mode, the primary trigger is disposed on the side of the index finger for activation by the thumb of the operator.

BACKGROUND

Finger-mounted data capture devices, also referred to as ring scanners,can be used to capture barcodes and the like, e.g. for transmission to acomputing device carried by the operator. Wearing a ring scanner may,however, impede certain other activities the operator of the ringscanner is required to perform.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer toidentical or functionally similar elements throughout the separateviews, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated inand form part of the specification, and serve to further illustrateembodiments of concepts that include the claimed invention, and explainvarious principles and advantages of those embodiments.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a data capture device.

FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating a perspective view of the data capturedevice of FIG. 1 in a top-mounted operational mode.

FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating a side view of the data capture deviceof FIG. 1 in the top-mounted operational mode.

FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating a perspective view of the data capturedevice of FIG. 1 in a side-mounted operational mode.

FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating a side view of the data capture deviceof FIG. 1 in the side-mounted operational mode.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the data capture device of FIG. 1, viewedfrom above.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the data capture device of FIG. 1, viewedfrom below.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the data capture device of FIG. 1, illustratingthe coupling of the primary housing with the mounting accessory.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating isometric views of a data capturedevice according to another embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating certain internal components ofthe data capture device of FIG. 1.

Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures areillustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily beendrawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements inthe figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help toimprove understanding of embodiments of the present invention.

The apparatus and method components have been represented whereappropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only thosespecific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments ofthe present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with detailsthat will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the arthaving the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Examples disclosed herein are directed to a data capture device,comprising: a primary housing supporting a data capture assembly andhaving inner and outer surfaces joined by a perimeter wall; a mountingaccessory coupled to the inner surface of the primary housing, themounting accessory configured to mount the data capture device on anindex finger of an operator in either of: (i) a side-mounted operationalmode, wherein the primary housing is disposed between the index fingerand a thumb of the operator; and (ii) a top-mounted operational mode,wherein the primary housing is disposed on a back of the index finger;an accessory trigger supported on the mounting accessory such that inthe top-mounted operational mode, the accessory trigger is disposedbetween the index finger and the thumb, for activation by the thumb ofthe operator; and a primary trigger supported on the outer surface ofthe primary housing such that in the side-mounted operational mode, theprimary trigger is disposed on the side of the index finger foractivation by the thumb of the operator.

Additional examples disclosed herein are directed to a data capturedevice, comprising: a primary housing supporting a data capture assemblyand having inner and outer surfaces joined by a perimeter wall; amounting accessory coupled to the inner surface of the primary housing,the mounting accessory configured to mount the data capture device on anindex finger of an operator in a side-mounted operational mode, whereinthe primary housing is disposed on a side of the index finger betweenthe index finger and a thumb of the operator; and a primary triggersupported on the outer surface of the primary housing such that in theside-mounted operational mode, the primary trigger is disposed on theside of the index finger for activation by the thumb of the operator.

FIG. 1 depicts a data capture device 100 (also referred to herein simplyas the device 100) configured to be worn on a hand of an operator (notshown). In particular, the device 100 is configured to be worn on anindex finger of the operator. The device 100 includes a primary housing104 that contains a data capture assembly such as barcode scanner (e.g.an image-based barcode scanner including one or more image sensors).

The primary housing 104 includes an outer surface 108, referred to as“outer” because in use the outer surfaces 108 faces outwards, away fromthe index finger on which the device 100 is mounted. The primary housing104 also includes an inner surface opposite the outer surface (the innersurface is not visible in FIG. 1), and a perimeter wall 112 joining theouter surface 108 and the inner surface. The perimeter wall 112 includesa scan window 116 disposed in a forward portion thereof. Theabove-mentioned data capture assembly is located within the primaryhousing 104 such that image sensors or other suitable data capturesensors have a field of view extending out through the scan window 116.

The device 100 also includes a mounting accessory 120 coupled to theinner surface of the primary housing 104. As will be discussed below ingreater detail, the mounting accessory 120 may be removably coupled tothe primary housing 104. The mounting accessory 120 is configured tomount the device 100 on the index finger of the operator.

The device 100 includes a primary trigger 124 and an accessory trigger128, each of which is configured to be activated by the operator (e.g.via depression of the relevant trigger by the thumb of the operator) toinitiate a scanning operation via the data capture assembly. The primarytrigger 124 is disposed on the outer surface 108 of the primary housing,while the accessory trigger 128 is disposed on the mounting accessory120. More specifically, the accessory trigger 128 is disposed on a wall132 of the mounting accessory 120 that is at a substantially right anglerelative to the outer surface 108. In other words, the primary trigger124 and the accessory trigger 128 are at substantially right anglesrelative to each other. The orientation and placement of the triggers124 and 128 enable operation of the device 100 in either of atop-mounted mode and a side-mounted mode.

Various trigger devices can be used to implement the primary trigger 124and the accessory trigger 128. In the present example, the primarytrigger 124 is an inductive sensor, while the accessory trigger 128 is abutton trigger. In other examples, various other types of triggers canbe employed for either or both of the triggers 124 and 128 (e.g.capacitive sensors, pressure sensors, temperature sensors, lightsensors, and the like).

Turning to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the top-mounted operational mode isillustrated. In particular, the device 100 is mounted on a right indexfinger 200 of the operator. In the position shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B,the primary housing 104 is disposed on the back or top 202, of the indexfinger 200. The primary trigger 124 is therefore substantiallyinaccessible to a right thumb 204 of the operator, while the accessorytrigger 128 is accessible to the thumb 204. Therefore, in thetop-mounted operational mode, the accessory trigger 128 is disposed on aside 206 of the index finger 200, between the index finger 200 and thethumb 204, for activation by the thumb 204 to initiate a scanningoperation. The side 206 is the side facing away from the other fingersof the right hand, towards the thumb 204.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, in some scenarios thetop-mounted operational mode may be impractical. For example, when theoperator is required to reach into narrow spaces, such as between boxesor other packages, the primary housing 104 may impede such reaching byincreasing a height “H1” between the lowest and highest points of thedevice 100, measured in a plane extending through the top 202 and bottom207 of the finger 200. In the top-mounted operational mode, therefore,the height H1 is the distance between a lower surface 205 of themounting accessory 120 (specifically, the lower surface of the wall 132)abutted against the bottom side 207, and the outer surface 108 of thehousing 104. Various other tasks may also be impeded by the primaryhousing 104 in the top-mounted operational mode, such as operatingcertain vehicles (e.g. forklifts with shielded or recessed throttlehandles). The device 100 therefore also enables scanning in aside-mounted operational mode, shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

Turning to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the side-mounted operational mode of thedevice 100 is shown. In the side-mounted operational mode, the primaryhousing 104 is supported on the side 206 of the index finger 200,between the index finger 200 and the thumb 204. The primary trigger 124is therefore positioned for activation by the thumb 204, while theaccessory trigger 128 (not shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B) is underneath theindex finger 200. In the side-mounted operational mode shown in FIGS. 3Aand 3B, a height H2 between the lowest and highest points of the device100 is smaller than the height H1 shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B.Specifically, in the side-mounted operational mode the height H2 is thedistance between the wall 132 of the mounting accessory 120 and anopposing wall 300 (or strap, or other suitable structure, as will bediscussed further below) of the mounting accessory 120. The height H2 issmaller than the height H1 because the primary housing 104 contributesless, or not at all, to the height H2. The operator can therefore morereadily reach into narrow spaces while operating the device 100 in theside-mounted mode. In side mounted operational mode of the device 100,the primary housing 104 height allows for optimal operation of primarytrigger 124 by effectively utilizing the space between thumb and indexfinger without negatively impacting operator comfort. The size of theprimary housing 104, and the position of the primary trigger 124 inside-mounted operational mode of the device 100 permits access and reachto the trigger without inducing fatigue on muscles in the palm(lumbricals and thenar).

The provision of distinct triggers, in the form of the primary trigger124 on the primary housing 104 itself, and the accessory trigger 128 onthe mounting accessory, enables the above-mentioned dual-mode operationof the device 100. As will be discussed below, the device 100 alsoincludes certain additional features to enable, for example,ambidextrous operation of the device 100.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, exploded views of the device 100 are shown,with the primary housing 104 separated from the mounting accessory 120.The primary housing 104, in the illustrated example, is removablycoupled to the mounting accessory. As seen in FIG. 4, the mountingaccessory includes a mounting surface 400 that faces the inner surfaceof the primary housing 104. The mounting surface 400 includes anelectrical interface 402 for communicating with the primary housing 104.In the present example, the electrical interface 402 includes a set ofelectrical contacts, such as pogo pins. The mounting surface 400includes a latching mechanism, which in the present example includes amovable (e.g. spring-loaded) latch 404 and a static latch 408. Thelatching mechanism cooperates with corresponding structures on the innersurface of the primary housing 104 (discussed below in connection withFIG. 5) to removably couple the primary housing 104 to the mountingaccessory 120. In addition, the mounting accessory 120 includes a strap412 for attachment to an index finger of an operator (e.g. the indexfinger 200 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3).

FIG. 5 illustrates an inner surface 500 of the primary housing 104, asmentioned earlier. The inner surface 500 is configured to engage withthe mounting surface 400 of the mounting accessory 120. In particular,the inner surface 500 includes a pair of hooks 504 and 508, eachconfigured to engage with either of the movable latch 404 and the staticlatch 408. That is, the primary housing 104 can be coupled to themounting accessory 120 in either of two orientations, enablingambidextrous use of the device 100.

The inner surface 500 also includes an electrical interface 512, such asa set of electrical contacts, configured to engage with the contacts ofthe interface 402 of the mounting accessory 120 and thereby interconnectthe mounting accessory 120 with the primary housing 104. For example,the interfaces 402 and 512 transmit trigger press indications to acontroller in the primary housing 104 when the accessory trigger 128 isactivated.

Turning to FIG. 6, attachment of the primary housing 104 to the mountingaccessory 120 is illustrated. In particular, the static latch 408 isplace into one of the hooks 504 and 508 (the hook 508, in the presentexample) by moving the mounting accessory 120 in the direction 600. Themounting accessory 120 is then pressed upwards in the direction 604,towards the inner surface 500 of the primary housing 104, to engage themovable latch 404 with the other hook (the hook 504, in the presentexample). The movable latch 404 retracts upon contact with the hook 504,and then extends into the hook 504 to retain the mounting accessory 120against the primary housing 104. To remove the mounting accessory 120from the primary housing 104, the primary housing is pushed towards thestatic latch 408 to compress the movable latch 404 into the retractedposition. Such movement disengages the hook 508 from the static latch408, and permits the end of the primary housing near the hook 508 to bereleased from the mounting accessory 120. The hook 504 can then also beremoved from the mounting accessory 120.

As will be apparent, the hooks 504 and 508 can each engage either of thelatches 404 and 408, permitting the primary housing 104 to be connectedto the mounting accessory 120 in either of two orientations. In theorientation shown in FIG. 6, the device 100 is configured forright-handed use, as the accessory trigger 128 is arranged for placementbetween the right index finger and right thumb when the device 100 istop-mounted. The primary trigger 124 is arranged for placement atop theright index finger in when the device 100 is top-mounted, and forplacement between the right index finger and the right thumb when thedevice is side-mounted. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 6 (and alsovisible in FIG. 1), the scan window 116 is substantially aligned withone end 608 of the mounting accessory 120, while an opposing end 612 ofthe primary housing extends beyond the opposing end 616 of the mountingaccessory.

The removable coupling of the primary housing 104 with the mountingaccessory 120 also enables the device 100 to employ a variety ofmounting accessories. In some examples, the primary housing 104 can becoupled with a mounting accessory that does not include an accessorytrigger. In other examples, a mounting accessory can be coupled to theprimary housing 104 that includes a ruggedized trigger.

In further examples, the primary housing 104 can be coupled with amounting accessory that includes two accessory triggers, one on eitherside of the mounting accessory. Such a mounting accessory, as will beunderstood by those skilled in the art, enables ambidextrous use of thedevice 100 without changing the orientation of the primary housing 104relative to the mounting accessory 120. An example of a dual-triggermounting accessory is illustrated in FIG. 7.

FIG. 7 illustrates a data capture device 700 including the primaryhousing 104 connected to a mounting accessory 720 that includes twoopposing walls 732 and 734, rather than a single wall 132 as shownearlier. The wall 732 supports a first accessory trigger 728, forright-handed use in the top-mounted operational mode, and the wall 734supports a second accessory trigger 736, for left-handed use in thetop-mounted operational mode.

Turning now to FIG. 8, certain internal components of the device 100 areillustrated. The device 100, and in particular the primary housing 104,includes a controller 800, such as a central processing unit (CPU),interconnected with a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium,such as a memory 802. The memory 802 can include a suitable combinationof volatile memory (e.g. Random Access Memory (RAM)) and non-volatilememory (e.g. read only memory (ROM), Electrically Erasable ProgrammableRead Only Memory (EEPROM), flash). The controller 800 and the memory 802comprise one or more integrated circuits (ICs).

The primary housing 104 also contains a data capture assembly 804connected with the controller 800. The data capture assembly 804 caninclude one or more cameras or other image sensors, and/or laseremitter(s) and sensor(s) for detecting reflections of emitted laserbeams, or the like. The primary housing 104 also supports the primarytrigger 124 and the interface 512, as noted earlier. The primary housing104 can also include a communication interface 808, such as a wirelesscommunication interface (e.g. Bluetooth or the like) for communicatingwith another computing device (not shown).

The mounting accessory 120 includes the interface 402 and the accessorytrigger 128, and can also include a memory 812. The memory 812 maycontain, for example, an accessory identifier retrievable by thecontroller 800. The controller 800 can be configured to detect, forexample, when the primary housing 104 has been connected with themounting accessory 120, and can retrieve the accessory identifier fromthe memory 812 responsive to such detection. The controller 800 can thenbe configured, e.g. based on a mapping of accessory identifiers totrigger functions stored in the memory 802, to enable or disable one orboth of the triggers 124 and 128. For example, some mounting accessoriesmay not permit operation of the device 100 in the side-mounted mode, andthe controller 800 can therefore disable the primary trigger 124 whensuch mounting accessories are connected.

In other examples, the controller 800 can be configured to detectwhether the device 100 is operating in the side-mounted mode or thetop-mounted mode, and can enable or disable one of the triggers 124 and128 accordingly. Detection may be performed by receiving input from anoperator, e.g. voice input, activation of another button, a specificsequence of activations of the triggers 124 and 128, or the like. Inother examples, detection may be performed automatically by thecontroller 800, for example by disabling the other of the triggers 124and 128 when two or more consecutive actuations of one of the triggers124 and 128 are detected (indicating that that trigger is currently inuse and the other can be ignored).

In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments have beendescribed. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates thatvarious modifications and changes can be made without departing from thescope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly,the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrativerather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intendedto be included within the scope of present teachings.

The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) thatmay cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become morepronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essentialfeatures or elements of any or all the claims. The invention is definedsolely by the appended claims including any amendments made during thependency of this application and all equivalents of those claims asissued.

Moreover in this document, relational terms such as first and second,top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish oneentity or action from another entity or action without necessarilyrequiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between suchentities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “has”,“having,” “includes”, “including,” “contains”, “containing” or any othervariation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, suchthat a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has,includes, contains a list of elements does not include only thoseelements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherentto such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by“comprises . . . a”, “has . . . a”, “includes . . . a”, “contains . . .a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence ofadditional identical elements in the process, method, article, orapparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains the element. The terms“a” and “an” are defined as one or more unless explicitly statedotherwise herein. The terms “substantially”, “essentially”,“approximately”, “about” or any other version thereof, are defined asbeing close to as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, and inone non-limiting embodiment the term is defined to be within 10%, inanother embodiment within 5%, in another embodiment within 1% and inanother embodiment within 0.5%. The term “coupled” as used herein isdefined as connected, although not necessarily directly and notnecessarily mechanically. A device or structure that is “configured” ina certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also beconfigured in ways that are not listed.

It will be appreciated that some embodiments may be comprised of one ormore specialized processors (or “processing devices”) such asmicroprocessors, digital signal processors, customized processors andfield programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and unique stored programinstructions (including both software and firmware) that control the oneor more processors to implement, in conjunction with certainnon-processor circuits, some, most, or all of the functions of themethod and/or apparatus described herein. Alternatively, some or allfunctions could be implemented by a state machine that has no storedprogram instructions, or in one or more application specific integratedcircuits (ASICs), in which each function or some combinations of certainof the functions are implemented as custom logic. Of course, acombination of the two approaches could be used.

Moreover, an embodiment can be implemented as a computer-readablestorage medium having computer readable code stored thereon forprogramming a computer (e.g., comprising a processor) to perform amethod as described and claimed herein. Examples of suchcomputer-readable storage mediums include, but are not limited to, ahard disk, a CD-ROM, an optical storage device, a magnetic storagedevice, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a PROM (Programmable Read OnlyMemory), an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), an EEPROM(Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) and a Flashmemory. Further, it is expected that one of ordinary skill,notwithstanding possibly significant effort and many design choicesmotivated by, for example, available time, current technology, andeconomic considerations, when guided by the concepts and principlesdisclosed herein will be readily capable of generating such softwareinstructions and programs and ICs with minimal experimentation.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader toquickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It issubmitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpretor limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in theforegoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features aregrouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamliningthe disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted asreflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require morefeatures than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as thefollowing claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than allfeatures of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims arehereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claimstanding on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A data capture device, comprising: aprimary housing supporting a data capture assembly and having inner andouter surfaces joined by a perimeter wall; a mounting accessory coupledto the inner surface of the primary housing, the mounting accessoryconfigured to mount the data capture device on an index finger of anoperator in one of: (i) a side-mounted operational mode, wherein theprimary housing is disposed on a side of the index finger between theindex finger and a thumb of the operator; and (ii) a top-mountedoperational mode, wherein the primary housing is disposed on a back ofthe index finger; an accessory trigger supported on the mountingaccessory such that in the top-mounted operational mode, the accessorytrigger is disposed between the index finger and the thumb, foractivation by the thumb of the operator; and a primary trigger supportedon the outer surface of the primary housing such that in theside-mounted operational mode, the primary trigger is disposed on theside of the index finger for activation by the thumb of the operator. 2.The data capture device of claim 1, wherein the perimeter wall supportsa scan window of the data capture assembly.
 3. The data capture deviceof claim 1, wherein the mounting accessory includes a wall carrying theaccessory trigger.
 4. The data capture device of claim 3, wherein thewall is disposed at a substantially right angle relative to the outersurface.
 5. The data capture device of claim 1, wherein the mountingaccessory includes a second accessory trigger; and wherein the accessorytrigger is configured to be activated during right-handed use and thesecond accessory trigger is configured to be activated duringleft-handed use.
 6. The data capture device of claim 1, wherein themounting accessory includes a mounting surface having a latchingmechanism for coupling the primary housing to the mounting accessory. 7.The data capture device of claim 6, wherein the inner surface of theprimary housing is configured to releasably engage the latchingmechanism to couple the primary housing to the mounting accessory. 8.The data capture device of claim 7, wherein the inner surface includeshooks configured to engage the latching mechanism in either of a firstorientation and a second orientation.
 9. The data capture device ofclaim 6, wherein the mounting surface includes a first electricalinterface, and wherein the inner surface of the primary housing includesa second electrical interface configured to engage with the firstelectrical interface.
 10. The data capture device of claim 1, whereinthe primary housing further includes a controller configured to detectan activation of either of the primary trigger and the accessorytrigger, and to control the data capture assembly to initiate a datacapture operation.
 11. The data capture device of claim 10, wherein thecontroller is further configured to retrieve an accessory identifiercorresponding to the mounting accessory.
 12. The data capture device ofclaim 11, wherein the mounting accessory includes a memory storing theaccessory identifier, and wherein the controller is configured toretrieve the accessory identifier from the memory.
 13. The data capturedevice of claim 11, wherein the controller is further configured todisable one of the primary trigger and the accessory trigger based onthe accessory identifier.
 14. The data capture device of claim 1,wherein the primary trigger includes an inductive sensor.
 15. The datacapture device of claim 1, wherein the mounting accessory includes amounting surface having a latching mechanism for coupling the primaryhousing to the mounting accessory.
 16. The data capture device of claim15, wherein the inner surface of the primary housing is configured toreleasably engage the latching mechanism to couple the primary housingto the mounting accessory.
 17. The data capture device of claim 16,wherein the inner surface includes hooks configured to engage thelatching mechanism in either of a first orientation and a secondorientation.
 18. The data capture device of claim 15, wherein themounting surface includes a first electrical interface, and wherein theinner surface of the primary housing includes a second electricalinterface configured to engage with the first electrical interface. 19.A data capture device, comprising: a primary housing supporting a datacapture assembly and having inner and outer surfaces joined by aperimeter wall; a mounting accessory coupled to the inner surface of theprimary housing, the mounting accessory configured to mount the datacapture device on an index finger of an operator in a side-mountedoperational mode, wherein the primary housing is disposed on a side ofthe index finger between the index finger and a thumb of the operator;and a primary trigger supported on the outer surface of the primaryhousing such that in the side-mounted operational mode, the primarytrigger is disposed on the side of the index finger for activation bythe thumb of the operator.
 20. The data capture device of claim 19,wherein the mounting accessory is further configured to mount the datacapture device on the index finger of the operator in a top-mountedoperational mode, wherein the primary housing is disposed on a back ofthe index finger; and wherein the data capture device further comprisesan accessory trigger supported on the mounting accessory such that inthe top-mounted operational mode, the accessory trigger is disposedbetween the index finger and the thumb, for activation by the thumb ofthe operator.
 21. The data capture device of claim 19, wherein theprimary trigger includes an inductive sensor.
 22. The data capturedevice of claim 19, wherein the perimeter wall supports a scan window ofthe data capture assembly.